Tyres are the only point of contact between your vehicle and the road, yet they remain one of the most neglected safety‑critical components. In Great Britain, 172 people were killed or seriously injured (KSI) in tyre‑related collisions in 2024, exceeding the five‑year average and marking a clear step backwards in preventable road safety outcomes¹.
Behind these figures sit everyday issues: tyres that are under‑inflated, over‑inflated, worn below the legal tread depth, or damaged with cuts, bulges, or exposed cords. National data shows that 75% of tyre defects involved in fatal collisions were due to poor maintenance, not sudden or unavoidable failure².
This matters because tyre condition directly affects braking, steering, stability and control – especially in wet conditions or emergency manoeuvres. Despite this, tyres are only formally inspected once a year at MOT, while over 2 million vehicles fail their MOT annually due to tyre defects, with around one million classified as dangerous³.
A simple, consistent pre‑drive check can significantly reduce this risk. That is why advanced driving guidance, including Roadcraft, promotes the POWDER checks as a practical routine – with tyres firmly at the centre of that process⁴.
Tyres Within the POWDER Checks (Roadcraft)
POWDER stands for Petrol, Oil, Water, Damage, Electrics, Rubber. When applied to tyres, Rubber and Damage are the key focus areas, but the inspection should be systematic and deliberate⁴.
1. Tyre Pressure – Correct, Not Just “Looks OK”
What to check:
- Pressures match the vehicle manufacturer’s specification (cold tyres).
- Check all tyres, including the spare if fitted.
What you’re looking for:
- Under‑inflation (most common).
- Over‑inflation, often after incorrect manual inflation.
Why it matters:
Under‑inflated tyres reduce stability, increase stopping distances, overheat at speed and wear prematurely. Over‑inflation reduces the contact patch, compromising grip and braking. Nationally, over half of tyres on UK roads are estimated to be under‑inflated, contributing to both safety risk and unnecessary fuel consumption⁵.
What to do if there’s a problem:
Adjust pressures before driving. If a tyre repeatedly loses pressure, it must be professionally inspected for a slow puncture or valve fault.
2. Tread Depth – Legal Is Not the Same as Safe
What to check:
- Minimum legal tread depth is 1.6mm across the central three‑quarters of the tyre.
What you’re looking for:
- Uneven wear.
- Tread approaching the legal limit (below 3mm performance drops sharply).
Why it matters:
Wet braking distances increase significantly as tread depth reduces. Testing shows that tyres near the legal limit take substantially longer to stop in wet conditions compared to new or lightly worn tyres⁶. Despite this, surveys consistently find over 6 million illegal tyres in use each year³.
What to do if there’s a problem:
Replace tyres early, not at the legal minimum. Treat 3mm as a sensible replacement threshold for everyday driving.
3. Sidewalls – Cuts, Bulges and Cords
What to check:
- Inner and outer sidewalls (turn the steering or move the vehicle slightly).
What you’re looking for:
- Cuts, cracks, bulges or blisters.
- Any sign of exposed cords or plies.
Why it matters:
Sidewall damage compromises the tyre’s structure and can lead to sudden failure at speed. DVSA data shows over 600,000 vehicles were found with exposed cords during MOT inspections in a single 13‑month period, a condition classed as immediately dangerous⁷.
What to do if there’s a problem:
Do not drive. A damaged sidewall cannot be repaired – the tyre must be replaced.
4. General Condition and Fitment
What to check:
- Matching tyres across an axle.
- No objects embedded in the tread.
- Valve condition and secure valve caps.
What you’re looking for:
- Nails, screws, or stones.
- Mismatched tyre types affecting handling balance.
Why it matters:
Even small objects can cause slow pressure loss. Poor tyre matching reduces predictable handling and increases loss‑of‑control risk, particularly in emergency situations⁴.
What to do if there’s a problem:
Have tyres inspected and repaired or replaced by a qualified professional.
What Do You Gain by Checking Your Tyres Before You Set Off?
A routine tyre check takes less than five minutes, yet the safety benefits are substantial:
- Shorter braking distances, particularly in wet conditions¹⁶
- Improved steering and stability, reducing loss‑of‑control incidents⁴
- Lower risk of sudden tyre failure, especially at motorway speeds⁷
- Reduced fuel consumption, saving money and emissions⁵
- Legal compliance, avoiding fines of up to £2,500 and penalty points per tyre³
Most importantly, it removes one of the most common and preventable contributors to serious road collisions.
Simple Checks, Serious Protection
Tyre‑related collisions are not an inevitable part of road transport – they are largely preventable. The data is clear: poor tyre maintenance continues to injure and kill people every year, despite being fully within the driver’s control¹².
By applying the POWDER checks and giving tyres the attention they deserve, drivers can dramatically reduce risk, improve vehicle performance, and protect themselves and others before every journey.
Five minutes. Four tyres. One simple habit that saves lives.
References
- Driving Instructors Association – 2024 Road Casualty Statistics Show Stalled Progress as Tyre Safety Concerns Grow (DfT data, published Sept 2025)
- National Highways Fatals Database (2014–2022), verified by Transport Research Laboratory – cited by TyreSafe
- TyreSafe – Tyre Safety Case for Action and DVSA MOT failure data (updated Jan 2026)
- Roadcraft: The Police Driver’s Handbook, latest edition (October 2025)
- TyreSafe / The Motor Ombudsman – UK under‑inflation and fuel waste estimates
- Continental Tyres wet braking performance testing (cited by TyreSafe)
- Point S Tyre & Autocare FOI Investigation / DVSA MOT data (July 2023 – July 2024)
Next Mile Driver Training 